The Raising of America (series) 5 Part Series
The Raising of America, by the producers of Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick? and RACE - The Power of an Illusion, is the ground-breaking documentary series, online learning hub and public engagement campaign which reframes the way Americans look at early child health and development. It illustrates how a strong start for all our kids leads not only to better learning, earning, and physical and mental health but also to a healthier, safer, better educated, more prosperous nation.
Why are so many children in the richest country on the planet faring so poorly? What are the consequences for the nation’s future? How might we do better?
Neuroscience underscores how a child’s earliest surrounding and interactions shape the developing brain, building the foundations for life-long cognitive and emotional development, even mental and physical health.
But too often families and communities are pressed by lack of time, money and resources. Job insecurity and low wages, lack of paid family leave, childcare that is both poor quality and unaffordable, racial stigma, and of course the trauma of adverse child experiences and racial exclusion can all get ‘under the skin’ of young children altering brain architecture. The costs? More emotional, behavior, substance abuse and learning problems later in life.
But it’s not only our children who are at risk. Our current policies are under-developing America. If we want our children to do better in school and in life, we can’t wait until they enter kindergarten.
The series’ Signature Hour asks how we might make a strong start the birthright of every infant in the U.S. The four additional episodes dive in for a closer look. Will the U.S. invest in its youngest children and their families, or will it squander its own future?
EPISODES
(Available individually or as part of the series)
- Episode 1: The Raising of America - Signature Hour (58 min.)
- Episode 2: Once Upon a Time (32 minutes)
When Childcare for All Wasn't Just a Fairy Tale - Episode 3: Are We Crazy About Our Kids? (32 minutes)
- Episode 4: Wounded Places (42 minutes)
Confronting Childhood PTSD in America's Shell-Shocked Cities - Episode 5: DNA is Not Destiny (37 minutes)
How the Outside Gets Under the Skin
"An extraordinarily important and moving film... Anyone caring about our country's future needs to see it, discuss it, and ask our politicians how they propose to improve conditions for all our youngest children and their families."
Barry Zuckerman, MD, Founder, Reach Out and Read
"Offers a powerful wake-up call…This important film reveals how we consistently underinvest in our youngest children and fail to provide the supports families need...We can and must all do more."
Mary Bassett, MD, MPH, New York City Commissioner of Health
"A stirring call to action!...The Raising of America underscores the clear and compelling science: supporting families and enriching the early experiences of our children makes us a better and stronger nation."
Harvey Karp, MD, FAAP, Author, The Happiest Toddler on the Block
"This brilliant film should be used to start conversations throughout our communities, our states and hopefully, our nation about how we can better assure every child a strong start -- and our nation a brighter future."
Bertram Lubin, MD, President & CEO, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland
"Offers powerful testimony to why we must comprehensively invest in the lives of our parents and children--so that every family has the chance for stability, health, and success."
Malika Saada Saar, Founder, Rights4Girls
"Makes a compelling case for the roadmap that will make the United States a much healthier nation. Should we follow this pathway we are sure to...be amongst the healthiest nations in a generation."
Georges C. Benjamin, MD, Executive Director, American Public Health Association
"Should be required viewing for every lawmaker, employer and advocate in this country. It weaves together a powerful mix of historical facts, personal narratives, expert opinions and data...As a nation, we must do more to build a better future and this film provides a roadmap for how to get there."
Debra L. Ness, President, National Partnership for Women & Families
"Most hard-working American families do everything they can for their children’s sake. Yet more and more are finding that no matter how hard they try, they just can’t provide for their children’s basic needs, putting our nation’s future in jeopardy. The Raising America shines a bright light on these families’ everyday heroism, the hope and potential that live inside every child, and the practical steps we all can take to get our country back on the road to progress before it’s too late."
Joshua Sparrow, MD, Director, Brazelton Touchpoints Center, Boston Children's Hospital
"A beautiful mind is a terrible thing to waste, but by neglecting the basic needs of our smallest and most vulnerable citizens, America does it every day. This powerful documentary should focus our energies on building the vital resources needed for early childhood health and development."
Barbara Ehrenreich, author, Nickel and Dimed
The Raising of America: Episode 1: The Series Signature Hour
Companion Website
A full suite of video clips, interactives, discussion guides, action tool kits and other resources can be found on the companion online hub at www.raisingofamerica.org
EPISODES (Available individually or as part of the series)
Episode 1: The Raising of America - Signature Hour (58 min.)
Episode 2: Once Upon a Time (32 minutes) When Childcare for All Wasn't Just a Fairy Tale
Episode 3: Are We Crazy About Our Kids? (32 minutes)
Episode 4: Wounded Places (42 minutes) Confronting Childhood PTSD in America's Shell-Shocked Cities
Episode 5: DNA is Not Destiny (37 minutes) How the Outside Gets Under the Skin
Ways to Watch
Educational Streaming
Recommended for Colleges, Universities, Government Agencies, Hospitals and Corporations
Community Screening
Short-term use for small groups, organizations, or high school classes (where no admission is charged)
Home Viewing
48-hour, personal rental for in-home use only, restrictions apply